In short: Nice to be on traffic-free paths.In full: The wind wasn't so bad, behind at start & finish, against in the middle where we were a little sheltered by hedges. Course good, results prompt easy parking.Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Fantastic! Made for a PB!In full: This was a really well run event and a great venue - the course is really flat with good straights to get into you rhythm. The extra events for kids on the day made it a great event for the whole family!Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Very fast,flat and traffic-free.In full: This race is set-up for fast times and is a great opportunity for a PB.However,it's not easy-most of us aren't used to 30+ minutes at near flat-out pace and it hurts !.The facilities are excellent and the organisation of the race itself was very good indeed.On the downside,the finish needs attention (more water and the line needs to be more obvious) and the presentation wasn't as efficient as last year.However,the organisers have provided a genuinely fast race for a worthy cause and it deserves to grow in popularity.Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Great venueIn full: Great for PB if that turns you on, as flat as you are likely to get but would be exposed to the wind. Great relief when it became apparant that the laps were not the same and you run the same way as the rowers row for the last 2k. May have helped if the rowing distance markers were synchronised with the race distance would have been really useful. No gripes about toilets or parking bacuase evrything was expalined on the website and the guy on the tannoy was constantly advising but as usual people were not listening - so why complain!! Could have done with time markers at the start but again tannoy man expalined where to stand so this wouldn't have been an issue if everyone was listening!! Overall a great venue with facilities as good as you are likely to get. PB to boot - marvellous!!Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Lovely scenery, first bridge a bit scary !In full: First time for this one, but worth the trip. Nice scenery, and good to run down the canal bank, although some of the narrow tracks were a bottle neck, so not a PB course. First bridge looked like it had neve had more than 3 people on it before, very shaky going across, ran as quick as I could ! Nice mix of runners, and well worth turning out for the bottle of beer !Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Flat/Undulating? Ha, ha, ha.In full: Advertised as a 'flat/undulating' race with a 'prompt' start. Neither were strictly true. A long hill appeared on the first lap and you knew you'd have to go through it again! That's after the race started seven minutes late.However, a nice if not spectacular route, excellent marshalls, good water station, plenty of changing space but no lockers and only two gents toilets, very supportive crowds, virtually no traffic, ok goody bag. As races go, it's definitely worth a go and subsequent re runs but with a couple of tweaks (extra toilets, bottles instead of cups on water station, more details on route/parking) this could be an unmissable event.Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Nice and flat on wide closed roads, no excuse for a bad time.In full: Race itself seemed to go off without a hiccup.Water problems at the finish.Race results now online here with apologies (nice touch as no-ones perfect but at least someone took the time and trouble to organise)http://www.harakarate.co.uk/

race photos can be found herehttp://www.smiles4miles.co.uk/Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Want a PB? This is the race!In full: Excellent PB course, good atmosphere, last 400 metres were run around an ahletics track which was different. Prize given at the end could have been organised better. Fun runners didn't receive a prize even thought they were called up at the prizegiving. Would do again as course is very very fast.Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Great race let down route mix upIn full: I was amazed by the turnout for this race (nearly 1000). And the atmosphere generated by the runners and the supporters was superb. There was agood mix of club runners and fun runners that made the race very welcoming.

It was a tough course, with some long steep climbs and felt more like a dry trail race at times.

What would've have been a superb event was let down by a route mix up meaning that it was only an 8k race. Not sure why the course had to be made up of so many confusing loops.

Will do it again next year mainly as its for such a good cause.Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: A real pleasure with some pain thrown in! In full: First race of the yearso a real challenge. Had a lovely friendly feel to it. Early start very convenient as it leaves the rest of the day free.Course modification-particularly at the end-made the finish much smoother than last year.Overall-super. Scouts as marshalls was a nice traditional touch Date of review: April 20, 2006

In short: Ryde Harriers do it again! Excellent weather and scenery plus a tough course. What hills! We all cried for joy as we crawled to the top of Tenyson Down. A well organised and fun event.Date of review: April 19, 2006